Army Chief to Visit Australia, Hold Wide-Ranging Talks with Senior Australian Defence Forces Leadership
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi will embark on an official visit to Australia from February 16 to 19, 2026. The visit is aimed at further strengthening India–Australia defence cooperation and deepening the growing strategic convergence between the two nations.
During the visit, General Dwivedi will hold wide-ranging discussions with senior leadership of the Australian Defence Forces (ADF), focusing on expanding army-to-army engagements, including training initiatives, joint exercises, professional military education exchanges and capacity-building measures.
In Sydney, the COAS is scheduled to engage with senior officials from Forces Command (FORCOMD), Special Operations Command (SOCOMD) and the 2nd Division. Troops from the 2nd Division regularly participate in the bilateral Army exercise AUSTRAHIND, the next edition of which is slated to be held in India later in 2026.
In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said that upon arrival in Canberra, General Dwivedi will receive a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour, followed by an interaction with Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, Chief of the Australian Army. Both military leaders are alumni of the US Army War College Class of 2015 and share a longstanding professional association. Their meeting will be followed by a comprehensive roundtable discussion at the Australian Defence Forces Headquarters on defence cooperation, modernisation efforts and future-oriented operational concepts.
The COAS will also interact with the Commander of the Australian Defence College and address officers at the Australian Command and Staff College as part of ongoing professional military exchanges.
As part of his high-level engagements, General Dwivedi will call on Australia’s Chief of Defence Forces and the Secretary of the Department of Defence. He will also visit Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC), where he will meet the Commander Joint Operations and receive a briefing on the operational dynamics of the Australian Defence Forces, including integrated and multi-domain operations.
During the visit, the COAS will lay a wreath at the Australian War Memorial in tribute to fallen soldiers and to honour the shared legacy of sacrifice and service. He is also scheduled to meet Indian defence veterans residing in Australia, highlighting the enduring bonds between the Indian Armed Forces and its overseas veteran community.
The visit reaffirms the shared commitment of both nations to enhance defence cooperation and jointly contribute to peace, stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region, the Ministry of Defence said in its press statement.
